Lions romp home against Griquas in Currie Cup

The Lions chalked up another rugby win in the Currie Cup on Friday, beating Griquas 41-25 at Ellis Park to maintain their lead in the standings.

The home team, inspired by returning skipper and eighthman Joshua Strauss, stuck to the basics while stretching the defence of Griquas, who were forced to make numerous tackles.

The Lions drew first blood in the 13th minute with a penalty from the boot of flyhalf Elton Jantjies, then went on the rampage with three first-half tries giving them a 20-6 interval lead.

Deon van Rensburg dotted down his fourth try of the season three minutes after the penalty and prop Patric Cilliers barged over for the second midway through the first half.

Hooker Bandise Maku then drew two defenders to brilliantly slip a pass for left wing Michael Killian, who dotted down in the corner.

Shortly before the break, centre Doppies la Grange — also returning from injury — could have ensured a bonus point, but knocked on near the tryline.

Van Rensburg scored the crucial fourth try for his brace three minutes into the second half, and 11 minutes later former Cheetahs’ player Alwyn Hollenbach went over for the fifth.

The Griquas outfit, a typically tenacious side, were guilty of unforced errors and lacked their usual grit, until the last half hour when signs of ill-discipline crept into the Lions’ play.

To add to their two Rudi Vogt penalties in the first-half, the visitors scored two of their three second-half tries after the home side was reduced to 14 men.

Griquas captain Jonathan Mokuena dotted down their first in the 57th minute when Lions fullback Jaco Taute was in the sin bin, although Vogt failed to put away the conversion.

The men from Kimberley grafted for a second try through hooker Rayno Barnes with less than 20 minutes left, before flyhalf Earl Rose scored the third with only five minutes remaining.

However, the damage had been done in the first hour of play and the Lions cemented victory with a sixth try, from Taute, for their eighth win in nine games.

Final Score Lions 41 Griquas 25

Scorers

Lions
Tries: Deon van Rensburg (2), Patric Cilliers, Michael Killian, Alwyn Hollenbach, Jaco Taute
Conversions: Elton Jantjies (4). Penalties: Jantjies

Griquas
Tries: Jonathan Mokuena, Ryno Barnes, Earl Rose
Conversions: Rudi Vogt (2)
Penalties: Vogt (2).